Iraq-Saudi
And oil supply
Strong reason for Singapore to join US-led efforts to rebuild Iraq now that Al Qaeda is targeting royal family and Saudi oil. By Seah Chiang Nee.
Nov 12, 2003

Since the oil crisis of 1974, Saudi Arabia has been a source of stability that ensured its oil flows to Singapore and other energy-dependent nations at reasonable prices.

With the latest suicide bombings in Riyadh and a widespread support base for al Qaeda among its citizens, the question is: "For how long more?"

There are pessimists who actually compare Saudi Arabia to Iran before the Shah fell.

For countries, which depend on oil, it is not just a theoretical debate of right or wrong, but of survival.

That means if Saudi falls to radical elements and becomes unstable, world trade will be threatened unless an alternative source can be found to replace it.

In fact, if Saudi Arabia is destabilised, so will other Gulf oil states, including Kuwait and United Arab Emirates.

The mullahs in Iran, another big oil producer, will likely be encouraged to move the country into a more extremist road.

This makes a secular, friendly Iraq - and a rational oil policy - an important strategic asset for a stable world.

It replace Saudi oil supply, if an extremist government - heaven forbid - ousts the royal family and things get out of control there. Iraq's oil supply is significantly large enough to be able to do so.

Oil was undoubtedly one of the factors for the US to overthrow Saddam Hussein and take charge there. It also explains why pulling out of Iraq is not an option now despite mounting US military casualties.

If things continue to deteriorate, the opposite may well happen.

Instead of leaving, the US is likely to widen the action there, moving from "pacification" to a new full-scale war if more foreign "volunteers" and Al Qaeda join up with Saddam forces to step up the bombings.

The danger is that it may involve neighbouring Syria and Iran, accusing of not stopping foreign jihadis to infiltrate into Iraq.

Other than oil, there's also another reason why the world can't afford a US pullout from Iraq, or worse a defeat.

That would be a serious blow to American global leadership so much needed now in the war against terrorism and allow tyrants and radicals to cause more troubles.

Even France, which vehemently opposed an attack on Iraq, now says that a US withdrawal will be one of the world's worst setbacks.

Singapore has sent 192 military personnel on a two-month mission to help US-led forces rebuild war-torn Iraq, accompanied by a Landing Ship Tank (LST) and a C-130 transport aircraft.

Although it is not a fighting contingent and involved only in transport, logistics and medical work, it will undoubtedly face dangers.

The bombers had targeted Polish and Italian troops, causing casualties.

It has also sent 32 police personnel to Iraq to train the local force. It returned last August.

All this is a minor contribution, but a crucial one, considering the ultimate cost if things - especially the supply of oil - doesn't work out.

By Seah Chiang Nee